Daniel J. Troyer

1860 - 1919

Goshen’s 18th Mayor

1918 - 1919

Mayor Daniel J. Troyer a Victim of Influenza

Following an illness of less than a week’s duration Mayor Daniel J. Troyer died at his home, 208 Garden Street, Tuesday evening at 6:30, from the effects of influenza and attendant complications, the immediate cause of death being toxic poisoning, due to chronic affection of the heart valves which rendered this organ unable to withstand the rigors of the influenza attack.

The mayor was taken ill on Thursday of last week, his last official act being transacted at a meeting on the evening previous with officials of the C. S. B. & N. I. Railway company in the matter of repairs of the company’s right of way in this city. On Thursday he remained at home with a cold, which quickly developed into a severe attack of influenza.

Daniel J Troyer was 58 years of age, having been born in Clinton Township on May 20, 1860, the son of Mr. and Mrs. John D. Troyer. He attended and graduated from the country schools, attended Indiana University, and following a course at the Normal College at Danville, Ind., he was given a teachers license at the age of 17.

He was principal in the Benton schools for two years, served a total of seven years a principal of Chamberlain school of this city, and for a number of years was an instructor in the high school. While yet a teacher, he took up the study of law, studying in the offices of A. S. Zook and E. A. Dausman. In 1899 he was admitted to the bar, and at the death of Lewellyn Wanner, he purchased the law library of the estate and opened up his own office. For two years he was associated with the law firm of Miller, Drake and Hubbell, but in January, 1905, again opened up his own office.

Mr. Troyer was a councilman from his ward for two years and was twice elected as city attorney, serving in that capacity for eight years. In the fall of 1904 he was elected probate commissioner for Elkhart County, which position he held for four years. in the full of 1910 he was elected representative from Elkhart County to the state legislature, serving one term altogether Mr. Troyer was connected with the schools of Goshen for many years.

Fraternally Mr. Troyer was affiliated with the Odd Fellows, the Knight, of Pythias, the Maccabees, and the Knights and Ladies of Columbia. He held every degree of Odd Fellowship and was one of the active workers in this order, at the time or his death being financial secretary.

In 1881 he was married to Miss Etta Brown of Clinton Township, who survives him. There are two daughters, Mrs. V. V. Swartz and Mrs. Wm. H. Myers of this city, his mother, Mrs. John D. Troyer of Milford, Neb., by three brothers, Joseph E., of Escanaba, Mich.; David F., of Elma, Wash., and John E., of Aurora, Neb., and by four sisters, Mrs. C. J. Mizer, of Walloon Lake, Mich.: Mrs. C. W. Brown of Mancelona, Mich., Mrs. J. D. Shaw, of Milford, Neb, and Miss Martha Troyer of Milford, Neb.

The funeral services are to be held at the Reformed church on Friday afternoon at three o’clock. Rev. H. S. Reichard will officiate and interment is to be made in Oak Ridge.

Goshen Daily News~Times Wednesday April 9, 1919, page 1